From Michelle...
"Sacrifice"...
This is a word that parents know well. Our initial thoughts go to morning sickness, giving up the home office for a new family member, or sleepless nights for months (years) for a period of time. These are reasonable things for our minds to drift toward as we consider the sacrifices parents make for their children. Let's consider a somewhat different version of sacrifice as relates to our children.
What might it look like if we see our children as wholly belonging to God and see everything we do for them as a sacrifice to Him? I’m talking about daily things like diapering, feedings, and laundry. I’m talking about giving up time to help with a science fair project, traveling to the out-of-town soccer tournament, or sitting to read a book together. What if we could do all those things, however well intended, as unto the Lord rather than simply for our children?
Sure, we want to bless, encourage, and train our children. That is totally appropriate. I am suggesting that in serving our children, we ultimately serve the Father and that the love for our children reaches its full potential when Jesus is the focus of our service. I think this can help us to keep perspective during difficult seasons.
I remember a time when this concept struck me. We had 5 children at that point. Three of the oldest 4 were boys… busy, busy boys. I believe we were in or had just come out of an extended period of sickness. It was probably vomit-related. That is my least favorite form of sickness. I was exhausted emotionally and physically. I remember picking up laundry from the floor and being increasingly frustrated with the children. I thought, “Jesus, if this were YOUR dirty laundry, I’d gladly wash it. I’d clean your toilet, and I’d be happy about it. Your dirty dishes would be a delight to gather throughout the house.”
In all honesty, I think I overestimated my servant-heartedness, but I think you get the idea. It would not have seemed like a huge sacrifice to serve Christ in this way, but it sure did seem like a huge sacrifice to serve my children and my husband in the same way. In reality, I WAS serving Christ through serving my children and husband. I WAS washing Jesus’ laundry and picking up His dirty dishes if you will. I won’t pretend that I’ve not struggled with the dirty sock collection since that moment, but it was a life-altering realization.
Let’s consider Pastor Peter’s encouragement in 1 Peter chapter 4 together.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
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